ISTANBUL

The Turkish president and the nation’s top cleric on Sunday night released messages heralding the start of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.

"I hope that the month of Ramadan, whose beginning is mercy, its middle, forgiveness, and its end, emancipation from the fires (of hell), will be beneficial for the Islamic world and our nation," President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on X, adding, “May we have a blessed Ramadan.”

Ali Erbas, the head of Türkiye’s Religious Affairs Directorate, called upon the global Muslim ummah (community) to pray for an end to the suffering of people all around the world, particularly the suffering people of Gaza and East Turkestan.

"Let's take full advantage of the climate of mercy of the holy month of Ramadan and pray to the Almighty Allah to end the suffering, systematic massacre, torture, and harassment in various parts of the world, especially in Palestine and East Turkestan," he said.

During Ramadan, Muslims normally abstain from food, drink, smoking, and sex from sunup to sunset.

Throughout the course of the fasting month, Muslims are urged to perform extra prayers, especially at night; recite the Quran; give to the poor; and refrain from misdeeds.